Is Jordan ready to normalize ties with Syria?
Syrian and Jordanian officials are in technical talks about reopening their border for trade purposes, but analysts have noted Amman's wariness about normalizing relations for fear of its possible effect on relations with its Arab and Gulf allies.
Jordanian and Syrian officials met Sept. 12 for technical discussions about the reopening of their border to commercial traffic. They were the first such talks since the border was closed in 2011, following the eruption of the Syrian civil war. While Damascus wants the talks to signal the return of normal relations with the Hashemite kingdom, Amman remains wary. Jordanian government spokesperson Jumana Ghuneimat has said the talks will continue, but has given no date for the reopening of the border.
On Sept. 4, an 80-member delegation representing the Jordanian private sector had headed for Damascus to discuss joint ventures with their Syrian counterparts after the border reopens, according to the Jordan Times. Theirs was the first such visit since the civil war began.
The day before, Atef al-Tarawneh, speaker of Jordan’s Lower House, had told Russia’s RT TV that Jordan and Syria were assessing security coordination in preparation for reopening their border. In July, the Syrian army recaptured the Nasib crossing, which had been under rebel control since April 2015.
For Jordan, the reopening of the border with Syria carries huge economic benefits. Trade between the two countries in 2010 was estimated at $750 million. For Jordan, however, Syria’s importance as a gateway to Lebanon, Turkey and Europe far exceeds its value as a trading partner. Likewise, Jordan is an invaluable doorway to Gulf markets for Lebanon and Syria.
